With a squad full of resources and a wide variety of bowlers, each with their own specialties, you would think that the addition of another bowler would not make a difference. Some cricketers, like Mitchell Marsh, are quite useful as backups because of their extraordinary ability and skill, though, therefore they are really great as backups.
Recently, Australia’s head coach Andrew McDonald voiced hope for his team’s incumbent captain to return to the bowling position ahead of their third Twenty20 World Cup encounter against Namibia. McDonald acknowledged that Marsh would be extremely unlikely to bowl against Namibia, but he hinted that this possibility would rise in their last group-stage match against Scotland.
In addition, Andrew McDonald said that Marsh and the team management would plan how to best use his bowling skills in the later rounds of the competition, presuming Australia makes it to the Super 8.
“We have high hopes that he will return to bowl in games. The chances of it happening against Namibia are extremely low, and they may even get worse against Scotland. After that, you should easily make it to the Super 8s and be able to bowl there, in my opinion.
McDonald made the following statement during the pre-game press conference: “The assumption is that we qualify and, as I mentioned, Namibia first thing, and then we can start to work out what it looks like for the Super 8s and beyond.”
Also read: T20 World Cup 2024: Australia may decide to rest a few players for their match against Scotland in the Group B final
Despite bowling in just 25 innings and taking a meagre 17 wickets in the 56 T20Is Australia has played since his debut in October 2011, Mitchell Marsh has been used sparingly by the team, especially considering that he typically bowls as the team’s sixth bowler. His impressive economy rate of 7.74 is especially noteworthy.
When the 32-year-old cricketer gets closer to the tournament’s finish, when his skills with the ball might be required, bowling an over or two against Namibia and Scotland could greatly boost his confidence.